How to Be a Fun Mom (when you feel overwhelmed)

Being a mom is one of life’s greatest joys but let’s face it…

It can also be downright exhausting and overwhelming! Between juggling schedules, managing household chores, and trying to keep everyone happy and healthy, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily life. But amidst the chaos, there’s something magical about being able to sprinkle a little fun into the mix. Whether it’s a spontaneous dance party in the kitchen or a backyard adventure on a sunny afternoon, being a fun mom isn’t just about creating memories – it’s about nurturing bonds, fostering creativity, and embracing the joy of being a mom. So, if you’re ready to add some extra laughter and excitement into your family’s day, read on!

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What does it mean to be a fun mom?

Being a fun mom to me means finding joy in the everyday moments. It means being willing to set aside the to-do list and just be present with my kids, fully immersing myself in whatever adventure or activity they come up with. It’s about joining in a silly dance party, getting messy with arts and crafts, or simply taking the time to laugh together over the little things. Being a fun mom means creating a warm and loving environment where we laugh, play, and create lasting memories. Finally, it’s about cherishing these precious moments with my children that will go by so fast.

My fun mom confession

As much as I want to be a fun mom, I find it so hard to be one! I’m pulled into a million different directions each day – my full-time job, chores, my kids’ activities, and so much more – that I find it so hard to be present. But then sometimes I’m forced to be present…My husband was away on a business trip. my kindergartener was home sick with strep, and my younger daughter was home too since my parents were afraid to watch her in case she was carrying strep. I was also trying to work.

My girls had other ideas. They wanted activity after activity! One happened to be a messier one so I was using the dustbuster to do some cleanup. Then, my younger daughter wanted to “help” too so I gave her the dustbuster for a bit. I knew it was low on battery and I didn’t want it to run out before I was able to finish so I took it from her to finish up. Sure enough the battery died just as I was finishing. Oh my daughter cried.

I asked her if she wanted a hug and we sat on the floor and she curled up in my lap. Then we started being silly…singing, tickling…I really felt present and thought to myself, “Oh how I love these kids!” My girls are my priority and I just want to be a better mom for them. I don’t want to be in this same situation again, parenting alone with a sick child, but I wish it was easier for me to get those really present and fun mom moments.

It’s hard to be a fun mom.

At times, it’s hard to have more energy to be fun and engaging, especially after a long day or when stressors weigh heavily on my mind. But despite the challenges, I remind myself that being a fun mom isn’t about perfection – it’s about showing up and embracing the joy that comes from being present with my children.

However, it’s important to be a fun mom.

While it may be hard at times, the rewards of being a fun mom far outweigh the challenges. Below are some reasons why it’s important to try to be a fun mom.

You’ll create positive memories.

Fun moments create lasting memories that both you and your child will look back on. These memories will contribute to your child’s overall happiness.

You’ll strengthen the parent-child bond.

Fun activities will strengthen the bond between you and your child. You’ll build trust and communication. You will end up being someone your child is close to and confides in, which is so important as your child grows.

You’ll help your child’s emotional development.

Fun moments will help your children regulate emotions, cope with stress, and build resilience. They’ll learn that life can have enjoyable moments even when times are tough.

You’ll promote imagination.

Fun activities build creativity and imagination which is so important for your child’s development. By encouraging fun play, you’ll help your children think outside the box.

You’ll model healthy behavior.

By prioritizing fun times, you teach your children to have balance in life. They learn that it’s okay to have fun breaks even when you have a lot of responsibility, which is so important for mental health.

Helpful tips to be a fun mom

Being a fun mom means incorporating fun activities into the day. Here are some helpful tips for getting started!

Realize that doing simple activities is fun.

Fun activities don’t have to be extravagant or have a lot of planning. It can be as simple as sitting on the floor singing and tickling like I did with my daughter when she was crying.

Play with your children.

Play, whether it’s board games, imaginative play, or outdoor activities. Get down to their level and be fully present in the moment.

Create traditions.

Establish fun traditions that you and your child can look forward to, whether it’s pizza night on Fridays, holiday baking, or ice cream on the last day of school before summer break.

Be silly.

Just be silly! Kids have the funniest dance moves so copy them. Make silly faces. Have tickle wars. Just laugh. Laughter is the best medicine!

Say yes (within reason).

Between work, school and other obligations, we say no a lot to our kids. Plan out some yes day ideas where your children get to choose what they’d like to do, within reason of course, and you say yes.

Celebrate your child’s achievements.

Celebrate accomplishments, big or small. Whether it’s a good grade in school, completing a race, or showing kindness to others, acknowledge and celebrate achievements together.

Be present.

Eliminate distractions like phones and just be present together. Show interest and enthusiasm, and ask questions. Be fully focused on your child.

60+ ways to be a fun mom

Ready to get started? Here are some easy ideas to inspire you to be a fun mom!

1. Have a spontaneous dance party.

Put on your child’s favorite song (Animal Freeze Dance, anyone?) and just be silly together and dance! Try out each other’s different dance moves.

2. Build a fort together.

My daughters love to build forts! Assemble some chairs or big toys. Cover them with blankets and relax underneath the fort on pillows. Let your child lead the way!

3. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt.

If it’s a nice day, go on a fun outdoor scavenger hunt. You can likely find some ideas online for different seasons and themes, or just come up with your own ideas of what to find.

4. Have a picnic in a park.

Pack some sandwiches and snacks and have a fun picnic in the park. You can even bring along a ball or some other fun outdoor activities for after you finish eating.

5. Do a craft project together.

My girls are always so excited to do a craft project together. Put something together with the supplies that you have at home or stock up on some fun craft boxes so you have options when you need them.

6. Bake cupcakes or cookies and decorate them.

My oldest daughter is really starting to get into baking. Bake some cupcakes or cookies and have fun decorating them together.

7. Have a family game night.

Stock up on some fun board games and have a family game night. Zingo! is one of our favorites!

8. Have a movie marathon.

Choose some favorite movies for a movie marathon. Curl up on the couch with some snacks to make it even more fun!

9. Play hide and seek.

My girls love hide and seek although my 3 year old doesn’t realize that you’re supposed to stay hidden until found. Find some good hiding spots in your home.

10. Have a water balloon fight.

Water balloon fights are a great summer fun activity! These reusable water balloons are great since they can be used again and again.

11. Make homemade pizza.

Most kids love pizza! Make your own pizza and add some fun toppings. You can even come up with a name for your pizza!

12. Have a backyard campout.

Another fun summer activity is camping out in your backyard. Set up a tent and snack on some s’mores.

13. Put on a talent show.

Do you and your child have any fun or silly talents? Have a talent show to show them off.

14. Have a pajama day.

Pajama days are great mom hacks for rainy days! Stay comfy all day doing some fun activities at home.

15. Drive to a new town.

Be spontaneous and drive to a nearby town. Stop at whatever venue looks fun to you – maybe a restaurant, park, or ice cream shop.

16. Have a science experiment day.

Set up some fun science experiments. My older daughter loves playing with baking soda and vinegar. You can even add some food coloring under the baking soda for a fun surprise when vinegar gets poured!

17. Make an outdoor obstacle course.

Set up some cones, rings, hoops, and stepping stones for a fun outdoor obstacle course. See who can finish it with the fastest time.

18. Have a family painting session.

I love painting and my girls do too. Work on a project together as a family or do your own paintings.

19. Have a bubble party.

I don’t know a child who doesn’t love bubbles. Have a bubble party! A bubble machine makes it easier so you can take part in the fun instead of just making the bubbles.

20. Create a waterpark in your backyard.

Instead of going to a splash park make a waterpark in your backyard. Run through a sprinkler with your kids. Jump around in a splash mat. My girls love home waterpark days.

21. Create a family time capsule.

Gather some treasures that have meaning to your family now and put them in a time capsule to bury in the backyard. Decide how long you will wait to dig it up!

22. Try out different accents.

Talk in silly accents. I’m sure you’ll have lots of laughs!

23. Color together.

Bring out your inner child and do some coloring!

24. Have a pillow fight.

Grab some pillows and have a pillow fight!

25. Make a silly video or take selfies.

Record a silly video together or take some fun selfies. My girls love using Snapchat filters for silly pics with me.

26. Watch a show together.

When was the last time you sat down and just watched the show that your children were watching? We have Disney+ on a lot but it’s mostly background noise for me. Let your kids choose a show and sit and watch it with them.

27. Have a tea party.

A tea party is such a fun activity whether you use actual tea or just water. My girls love having tea parties!

28. Play a sport.

Have a sports day with games like baseball, soccer, or basketball, whatever your child enjoys.

29. Pamper each other.

Have a spa day where you give each other manicures and pedicures. Put on face masks. Sit back and relax!

30. Have a tech-free day.

Put away phones, TVs and other screens for a tech-free day. That will really help you be present with each other.

31. Have a conversation.

Just sit, talk, and ask questions. I love hearing about my daughters’ days at school! They have such excitement sharing certain tidbits. Share about your childhood too.

30 more ways to be a fun mom

1. Dress up for a theme with costumes.
2. Have a family karaoke night.
3. Go on a bike ride.
4. Go to the zoo.
5. Plant a garden together.
6. Build a birdhouse or bird feeder together.
7. Make homemade ice cream.
8. Have a fashion show with clothes from your closet.
9. Visit a local farmer’s market.
10. Make homemade play dough and build together.
11. Go to the beach and build sandcastles.
12. Have a tie-dye day and make shirts.
13. Read books together.
14. Have a magic show and try new tricks.
15. Have a cupcake decorating contest.
16. Go on a race.
17. Draw each other.
18. Make slime.
19. Play their favorite video game.
20. Have a contest to see who can do something better, faster, etc.
21. Do errands and stop for a treat.
22. Start a thankful jar.
23. Tell jokes.
24. Visit a splash park.
25. Go to a playground and do activities together.
26. Do silly pranks to each other.
27. Have a tickle fight.
28. Have a themed dinner night.
29. Fly a kite.
30. Have a slumber party.

As moms, we wear many hats.

We’re caregiver, organizer, educator, and so much more. The mental load of motherhood can often make life feel overwhelming and chaotic, but being a fun mom is like sprinkling a little bit of magic into our and our children’s lives. It’s about creating moments of joy, laughter, and connection that they’ll carry with them long after they’ve grown.

So, whether it’s through spontaneous dance parties, outdoor adventures, or simply taking the time to be fully present with our kids, let’s embrace the opportunity to be fun moms every chance we get. Because in the end, it’s not about being perfect – it’s about being authentic and loving to our children.

So go ahead, let your inner child shine, and revel in the joy of being a fun mom!